Road Trip to Vegas: Lake Havasu to Las Vegas

Las Vegas Road Trip Series

Arizona residents are lucky enough to live driving distance to Las Vegas. Whether you consider Lake Havasu City home or are simply stopping by on a longer road trip to Vegas, traveling from Lake Havasu to Las Vegas by car is a fun way to enhance your trip. This short and sweet drive just long enough to fit in some beautiful desert views, historic museums, local casinos, and even three state welcome signs.

Pack your bags, rally the troops, and fill the tank, because we have all the recommendations to have the best Lake Havasu to Vegas road trip!

The Logistics: Route, Drive Time & Traffic

Regardless of the route your GPS guides you down, the road trip to Vegas from Lake Havasu City should take just under 3 hours to complete. Without factoring in traffic, driving on the US-93 N and US-95 N both have a drivetime of about 2 hours and 40 minutes over the course of 153 miles on the US-95 N and 162 miles on the US-93 N.

Depending on your goal for the drive to Las Vegas, these two routes boast slight differences. If you’re seeking more nature and desert sights, the US-93 N mainly takes you through Arizona toward Lake Mead, where you can find beautiful views of the Hoover Dam and take a hike if you need to stretch your legs. On the US-95 N, you can visit Arizona, California, AND Nevada all within the short drive time.

As with most road trips, the weekends are the most popular, and therefore most heavily trafficked, days to drive. Schedule in some additional drive time if you plan on traveling during the holidays or when there are big Las Vegas events, as you may see your time on the road increase. If possible, try to leave on a less-popular day to avoid heavy traffic getting in to Las Vegas. Monday through Wednesday will probably be the quickest option if you are looking for a quick arrival or want more time to visit road trip stops!

Lake Havasu to Las Vegas Road Trip Stops

One of the top Arizona attractions is located right in Lake Havasu City, even though it wasn’t originally. Take a $10 walking tour of the London Bridge to learn more about its interesting past and journey from across the pond.

Las Vegas is all about the pool parties, so get an early dose at Topock66 while taking in the views of the Colorado River. The party pool is open every day and offers live music on the weekends, just remember to drive responsibly after visiting!

At the Arizona and California state line, the Pirate Cove Resort & Marina is a California oasis on the Colorado River, and the perfect pit stop on your road trip to Vegas. From pirate ships to jet skiing to off roading, this stop is sure to entertain.

Another great recreational stop on the Colorado River is Jack Smith Park. One of the biggest perks of a short drive from Lake Havasu to Las Vegas is the ample time to stop so pack a picnic, relax, and take a swim in the Colorado River.

With nearly 800 reviews and a 4.4-star rating on Google, the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles, CA a great stop to refuel on your trip. This Western-themed restaurant has an extensive menu to please everybody’s palate.

The term Cal-Nev-Ari (pronounced Cal-Nev-Air) might sound exotic, but it’s simply an abbreviation for California, Nevada, and Arizona. Make a stop in the casino, which made the city the first fly-in casino town in the state.

Learn the history of one of Nevada’s boomtowns at the Searchlight Historic Museum. Once a booming town in 1907 due to mining, this museum now highlights photos from the past and guests can walk down the historic Rex Bell Trail.

Take a slight detour off of the US-95 N and make a quick stop at the Lake Mead Overlook for stunning views and amazing photo opportunities. While the Hoover Dam is typically the star of the show, marvel in the beauty of the lake here!

The Clark County Museum takes you back in time. Walk through the county’s history while exploring historic buildings from various decades. Only $2 for admission, this Lake Havasu to Las Vegas pit stop is definitely worth it.

Some say life isn’t only about the destination, it’s about the journey. If you’re planning your next trip to Las Vegas, consider hitting the road and making an adventure out of it.